DezuelHaha, I noticed that. I wasn't even trying to write her as suspicious. She just looks young and has been diplomatically nice. Major red flags apparently! I won't confirm or deny your suspicions though!
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Amen walks quietly through a long hallway. Obviously, his intention wasn't to use the latrine but to get away from the boring discussion between the viziers. And this whole speech business... He understands that he can't just say what he really thinks because of the problems it may cause but the idea of saying what others want to hear still bothers him; the disingenuity of it all. It can't be helped. He is the Pharaoh. Damn that old man. Dying at a time like this. Amen can't even have a proper revenge. It's all so stuffy in this palace. He needs some fresh air. Walking by a large, open window, Amen stops and looks outside. He takes a quick look around in all directions to make sure no one is nearby. Then, he goes for it: he leaps out of the open window and lands into a kneeling position on the ground below. Time to find the exit.
The city of Thebes is a bustling place with people going about their everyday lives. This is where Amen belongs. No politics. No royal retinue. No speeches. Just the forward flow of life. Having gone far away from the palace now, Amen looks back and notices the massive pyramid behind the palace. Why didn't he notice that before? He was probably worrying about becoming Pharaoh, that's why. But, he's heard of these pyramids. Each major city of Egypt, usually a capital city of a kingdom, houses one. These pyramids were built by the first Pharaoh, Narmer. They said he built it as a tribute to the gods. No one has actually found a way inside of a pyramid. A powerful, lingering magic protects them from intruders. Narmer's magic? He was known as the first Magician as well so that could be the case. It must be some insane magic seeing as how it's been lingering for over 3000 years.
Amen arrives at a fruit vendor in the bazaar and takes a look at their selection. They fruits seem rather... small. Is harvest bad this year? "Find anything you like, young master?" A young woman in her twenties asks Amen. Young Master? It's not like they've seen the face of the new Pharaoh but why did she assume he's of any nobility? Oh, right, it must be all this jewelry.
"Why are these fruits so small?" Amen asks curiously.
"Oh, well, the ground isn't as fertile as it used to be and, recently, my family has been forced to use less and less water for our crops. You see, the surrounding oases from which the water is being drawn from seems to be running dry. It's a peculiar sight."
"Why doesn't the city draw from the Nile like every other town and city around here?"
"The government grew reliant on the oases and never attempted an expedition like what you mentioned. Hopefully... the new Pharaoh will bring a change for us all."
Amen quietly watches her for a moment. He then picks up an apple and takes a bite of it. "Hmm, it's still really juicy! You got a knack for this!"
"I hope you're going to pay for it." The women smiles.
"Of course! Just let me-" Amen checks his clothing only to realize that his money pouch was left in his chambers. "Oh crap!"
"Hey, you do have money right?"
"Ehehe, it seems I've forgotten to bring it with me..." He says, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Oh I see..." She responds quietly. "It's alright. It's no use getting into an argument with nobility after all. You have a pleasant day." She tells him with a halfhearted smile.
"Huh? What are you talking about? It's no use? Yell at me! Hell, punch me in the face or call for help! Who cares if I'm nobility or not! I did something wrong!"
She is taken back by his words and then starts to laugh. "Usually, they walk away when I let them off the hook. Nobody's ever told me to punch them in the face. You're an odd noble, that's for sure."
Amen smiles. "I do what I think is right. If I'm odd for it, so be it. Oh, I know," Amen removes one of his gold bracelets and tosses it her way, "Payment for the apple."
"Huh? N-No way, this is worth more than the entire stand plus my home and crops. Really it's fine-"
Amen picks up two more apples. "That should even things out. I've made up my mind so don't give me it back, alright? See ya." Amen waves goodbye and walks off.
Back at the study, about an hour has passed since Amen and Satiah left. "Where is the Pharaoh? Surely, he isn't taking all this time for a piss. Perhaps, one of us should go check on him?" Aperel tells the others. Yeah, he sure wasn't going to volunteer himself.
The city of Thebes is a bustling place with people going about their everyday lives. This is where Amen belongs. No politics. No royal retinue. No speeches. Just the forward flow of life. Having gone far away from the palace now, Amen looks back and notices the massive pyramid behind the palace. Why didn't he notice that before? He was probably worrying about becoming Pharaoh, that's why. But, he's heard of these pyramids. Each major city of Egypt, usually a capital city of a kingdom, houses one. These pyramids were built by the first Pharaoh, Narmer. They said he built it as a tribute to the gods. No one has actually found a way inside of a pyramid. A powerful, lingering magic protects them from intruders. Narmer's magic? He was known as the first Magician as well so that could be the case. It must be some insane magic seeing as how it's been lingering for over 3000 years.
Amen arrives at a fruit vendor in the bazaar and takes a look at their selection. They fruits seem rather... small. Is harvest bad this year? "Find anything you like, young master?" A young woman in her twenties asks Amen. Young Master? It's not like they've seen the face of the new Pharaoh but why did she assume he's of any nobility? Oh, right, it must be all this jewelry.
"Why are these fruits so small?" Amen asks curiously.
"Oh, well, the ground isn't as fertile as it used to be and, recently, my family has been forced to use less and less water for our crops. You see, the surrounding oases from which the water is being drawn from seems to be running dry. It's a peculiar sight."
"Why doesn't the city draw from the Nile like every other town and city around here?"
"The government grew reliant on the oases and never attempted an expedition like what you mentioned. Hopefully... the new Pharaoh will bring a change for us all."
Amen quietly watches her for a moment. He then picks up an apple and takes a bite of it. "Hmm, it's still really juicy! You got a knack for this!"
"I hope you're going to pay for it." The women smiles.
"Of course! Just let me-" Amen checks his clothing only to realize that his money pouch was left in his chambers. "Oh crap!"
"Hey, you do have money right?"
"Ehehe, it seems I've forgotten to bring it with me..." He says, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Oh I see..." She responds quietly. "It's alright. It's no use getting into an argument with nobility after all. You have a pleasant day." She tells him with a halfhearted smile.
"Huh? What are you talking about? It's no use? Yell at me! Hell, punch me in the face or call for help! Who cares if I'm nobility or not! I did something wrong!"
She is taken back by his words and then starts to laugh. "Usually, they walk away when I let them off the hook. Nobody's ever told me to punch them in the face. You're an odd noble, that's for sure."
Amen smiles. "I do what I think is right. If I'm odd for it, so be it. Oh, I know," Amen removes one of his gold bracelets and tosses it her way, "Payment for the apple."
"Huh? N-No way, this is worth more than the entire stand plus my home and crops. Really it's fine-"
Amen picks up two more apples. "That should even things out. I've made up my mind so don't give me it back, alright? See ya." Amen waves goodbye and walks off.
Back at the study, about an hour has passed since Amen and Satiah left. "Where is the Pharaoh? Surely, he isn't taking all this time for a piss. Perhaps, one of us should go check on him?" Aperel tells the others. Yeah, he sure wasn't going to volunteer himself.
But more importantly, the winner of the battle royale... becomes the new Pharaoh!
Just what in the hell are they talking about? All of this rambling and political maneuvering. Amen isn't the type to walk on eggshells. But, it's not like he has much to say. After all, he knows barely anything about the state of the kingdom. Thutmose... Just why did he choose Amen? Guilt? Is that even a good enough reason to risk your entire legacy? Amen hates wracking his brain about him. Before he knows it, Amen's missed the majority of the two viziers' discussion as he sat there lost in his thoughts. Something about bandits and grave robbers. Hey, that's a problem Amen can deal with.
"Bandits huh? Zamonth and I can take care of that. Just tell us where they're hiding." He says, unabashed.
"Pharaoh, we are discussing the content of the speech." Aperel explains.
"Hmm, we're still on that topic? Just write something up and I'll read off the paper."
"My dear Pharaoh, the speech is to be memorized and recited. Delivered in public to the masses. You can't simply 'read off the paper'. Now regarding the speech, if I may, the people may expect youth and exuberance but that can easily translate to inexperience. We'd be sowing a seed of doubt in their minds. The people need to assured that despite his youthful appearance, the Pharaoh is wise and will quell their inherent concerns regarding issues with agriculture and improvements to the standard of living. Play to their base desires. More importantly, we tackle the more subtle concerns that the nobles and those of the royal court may have. For any actual resistance would come from the upper echelons of society before the common man who is simply trying to live day to day. But I agree, keep the promises grounded in reality. Where I disagree is to have the Pharaoh come off as an eager and excitable fool."
This is hell. Amen gets up from his seat. "Uhh, I need to use the latrine. Please continue." Amen tells them before exiting the room.
"Bandits huh? Zamonth and I can take care of that. Just tell us where they're hiding." He says, unabashed.
"Pharaoh, we are discussing the content of the speech." Aperel explains.
"Hmm, we're still on that topic? Just write something up and I'll read off the paper."
"My dear Pharaoh, the speech is to be memorized and recited. Delivered in public to the masses. You can't simply 'read off the paper'. Now regarding the speech, if I may, the people may expect youth and exuberance but that can easily translate to inexperience. We'd be sowing a seed of doubt in their minds. The people need to assured that despite his youthful appearance, the Pharaoh is wise and will quell their inherent concerns regarding issues with agriculture and improvements to the standard of living. Play to their base desires. More importantly, we tackle the more subtle concerns that the nobles and those of the royal court may have. For any actual resistance would come from the upper echelons of society before the common man who is simply trying to live day to day. But I agree, keep the promises grounded in reality. Where I disagree is to have the Pharaoh come off as an eager and excitable fool."
This is hell. Amen gets up from his seat. "Uhh, I need to use the latrine. Please continue." Amen tells them before exiting the room.
The old vizier's insults were quickly responded to as Zamonth appears and threatens the man. Aperel simply grits his teeth in response. Even he knows not to poke at an agitated beast. Zamonth then addresses the rest of the viziers, telling them his purpose here and not to insult him further with their callous words and actions. The priestess—who would introduce herself as Nebet a bit later—makes a diplomatic attempt to answer to both sides. Unfortunately, Zamonth would find little satisfaction from what she said and decides to make his stance on the matter good and clear for a second time. Then Qar—the royal physician—makes his introduction and gives his opinion on the current issue at hand. Like Nebet, he conducts himself in a level-headed manner and offers a solution.
A laugh from the remaining vizier cuts into the tension as she gives her rather straightforward thoughts all the while insulting Aperel who she decides a more fitting name would be "Apple". She then goes on to introduce herself and her role within the context of the group of viziers. Nebet then decides to give her final advice on the matter to Amen, telling him to do what he wishes but to consider all consequences beforehand. All the while, Iaret stands there with a halfhearted smile on her face. She didn't think things would turn out this rough already. Amen clears his throat to get the attention of everyone.
"First off, enough with the 'Pharaoh' this and 'Pharaoh' that. Seeing as how we'll all be spending quite a bit of the foreseeable future working together, I'd like you all to just call me Amen, at least when it's just us." He calmly states. The way he speaks doesn't seem to be in the form of an order. He then turns to Nebet and Qar. "You two seem like the reasonable type. So I'll take your words into account. Regarding the matter however, vizier or not, Zamonth is here to stay. He knows a thing or two about combat that I want to learn from plus," Amen pauses and looks over at Satiah, "You sure you can put up a fight? You look like you'd weigh ten pounds soaking wet. A gust of wind could probably knock you out let alone someone as powerful as me." There's the trademark arrogance one can expect of Amen. "Oh, and don't call me 'kid', 'boy', or any variation of such from now on, got it?"
"Honestly Satiah, how dare you refer to the Pharaoh as such? Spewing such wretched bile is reason enough to land you in the dungeons if not back in chains." Aperel takes the opportunity to provoke the young woman.
"Aperel," Amen calls him.
"Yes my Pharaoh-" Aperel is shocked to find Amen looking at him with piercing eyes. It's almost as if the young Pharaoh wanted him dead.
"Don't ever threaten anyone with 'chains' around me ever again. Or next time, I'll toss you in the dungeons myself." His words spark with a calm ferocity.
"M-My apologies, Pharaoh..." Aperel fearfully responds.
As tensions wind down, the group moves over to the Pharaoh's private study where everyone takes a seat at one of the many side tables. Amen, himself, sits at the center seat in the back of the room. Iaret walks to the center of the room to address everyone. "For the viziers' first task, you'll need to prepare a speech for the Pharaoh-"
Amen interrupts to correct her. "I told you to just call me Amen."
Iaret nods. "A speech for Pharaoh Amen's address today to the kingdom."
"Huh? I'm supposed to give a speech today?"
"Of course. The people are eagerly awaiting an address from the Pharaoh. They need to be ensured that the new Pharaoh will do his best for the people of Thebes and the kingdom as a whole. Due to the circumstances at hand, your viziers will be in charge of crafting the speech. It should be concise, insightful, and, most importantly, it should put the citizens at ease."
"Alright... And what will Zamonth and I be doing?"
"Master Zamonth may stay if he so wishes. Or he can feel free to explore the grounds of the court. Familiarize himself with the new setting. The Pharaoh, however, will stay to oversee his viziers and give his thoughts on the content of the speech."
"The hell?! I don't know anything about writing speeches!"
"With that, I'll take my leave for now. Best of luck everyone. Oh, the address is due in five hours." Iaret then leaves the room.
Aperel stands up with a smug look on his face. "Very well! We, your humble viziers, will craft the finest of speeches... given the allotted time. As a scribe, I will jot down our discussions." He sets up his papyrus and quill.
A laugh from the remaining vizier cuts into the tension as she gives her rather straightforward thoughts all the while insulting Aperel who she decides a more fitting name would be "Apple". She then goes on to introduce herself and her role within the context of the group of viziers. Nebet then decides to give her final advice on the matter to Amen, telling him to do what he wishes but to consider all consequences beforehand. All the while, Iaret stands there with a halfhearted smile on her face. She didn't think things would turn out this rough already. Amen clears his throat to get the attention of everyone.
"First off, enough with the 'Pharaoh' this and 'Pharaoh' that. Seeing as how we'll all be spending quite a bit of the foreseeable future working together, I'd like you all to just call me Amen, at least when it's just us." He calmly states. The way he speaks doesn't seem to be in the form of an order. He then turns to Nebet and Qar. "You two seem like the reasonable type. So I'll take your words into account. Regarding the matter however, vizier or not, Zamonth is here to stay. He knows a thing or two about combat that I want to learn from plus," Amen pauses and looks over at Satiah, "You sure you can put up a fight? You look like you'd weigh ten pounds soaking wet. A gust of wind could probably knock you out let alone someone as powerful as me." There's the trademark arrogance one can expect of Amen. "Oh, and don't call me 'kid', 'boy', or any variation of such from now on, got it?"
"Honestly Satiah, how dare you refer to the Pharaoh as such? Spewing such wretched bile is reason enough to land you in the dungeons if not back in chains." Aperel takes the opportunity to provoke the young woman.
"Aperel," Amen calls him.
"Yes my Pharaoh-" Aperel is shocked to find Amen looking at him with piercing eyes. It's almost as if the young Pharaoh wanted him dead.
"Don't ever threaten anyone with 'chains' around me ever again. Or next time, I'll toss you in the dungeons myself." His words spark with a calm ferocity.
"M-My apologies, Pharaoh..." Aperel fearfully responds.
As tensions wind down, the group moves over to the Pharaoh's private study where everyone takes a seat at one of the many side tables. Amen, himself, sits at the center seat in the back of the room. Iaret walks to the center of the room to address everyone. "For the viziers' first task, you'll need to prepare a speech for the Pharaoh-"
Amen interrupts to correct her. "I told you to just call me Amen."
Iaret nods. "A speech for Pharaoh Amen's address today to the kingdom."
"Huh? I'm supposed to give a speech today?"
"Of course. The people are eagerly awaiting an address from the Pharaoh. They need to be ensured that the new Pharaoh will do his best for the people of Thebes and the kingdom as a whole. Due to the circumstances at hand, your viziers will be in charge of crafting the speech. It should be concise, insightful, and, most importantly, it should put the citizens at ease."
"Alright... And what will Zamonth and I be doing?"
"Master Zamonth may stay if he so wishes. Or he can feel free to explore the grounds of the court. Familiarize himself with the new setting. The Pharaoh, however, will stay to oversee his viziers and give his thoughts on the content of the speech."
"The hell?! I don't know anything about writing speeches!"
"With that, I'll take my leave for now. Best of luck everyone. Oh, the address is due in five hours." Iaret then leaves the room.
Aperel stands up with a smug look on his face. "Very well! We, your humble viziers, will craft the finest of speeches... given the allotted time. As a scribe, I will jot down our discussions." He sets up his papyrus and quill.
Right, there ya go. just a final word from Nebet.
Now I'ma go pass out.
Goodnight.
I should be able to get in my post before I turn in for the night too.
@Rune_Alchemist My post would just be to move the plot along so you can go ahead with your quick post if you feel Nebet should speak up.
Alrighty looks like a good start already. Just gonna finish up dinner and work on a post.
Can't wait to see Level 4 Fuck Shit Up mode lol
Heh, I may have subconsciously picked conflicting personalities. Let's see how this goes. Feel free to post dialogue responses or just wait until next round.
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